Youth Shelter –No suggestions regarding a possible site for a Youth Shelter had been received.
Temporary Road Closure – Queen Street Castle Hedingham – This closure from 8th November is to enable the traffic calming works agreed with Essex County Council to take place and will remain in force until the works are completed.
7.5 Tonne Weight Limit Signage – Essex County Council have confirmed that additional weight limit signage to be attached to the existing advance directional signs at Castle Hedingham and the north bound sign at Bulmer have been ordered. Existing southbound signs on the A131 will not accommodate an additional sign and therefore an estimate for its replacement has been sought. As the cost of the sign is likely to be expensive it may be that it cannot be replaced until the new financial year.
White Lines Falcon Square/ Majendie Lane Junction – Essex County Council have passed the request for the reinstatement and extension of the white line at this junction to the council’s maintenance contractor asking them to make an inspection and take appropriate action. A letter had been received from another resident of Falcon Square expressing concern about the severe congestion of Majendie Lane and the impact this has on access for emergency vehicles to the area. Councillors discussed this matter in detail and hoped that the extension of the white line would have positive impact on this problem. The possibility of primrose lines was discussed but there were strong feelings that these should be resisted if possible. It was agreed that a site meeting be requested with Essex County Council and members of the Traffic Strategy Group to discuss possible solutions.
Village Booklet - The Parish Council are revising the village booklet. It was agreed that a separate section in which details of businesses based in the village should be included. Businesses are invited to express an interest in being included in the booklet by the end of November 2004. If you are interested please write to the Clerk at 3 Hawthorns, Sible Hedingham CO9 3PD.
Dog Waste Bins – Following a request from a parishioner two new dog waste bins will be erected, one at the junction of two footpaths on Sheepcot Road near Maiden Ley and the second at the junction of Sheepcot Road and Queen Street.
The Parish Council had no objections to the following applications: Appln.: 04/01850/FUL - Erection of conservatory and front porch - 73 Nunnery Street, Castle Hedingham; Appln: 04/01858/TPOCON - Carry out works to trees - 3A Crown Street, Castle Hedingham and Appln.: 04/01974/TPOCON - Carry out works to trees -6 Queen Street, Castle Hedingham.
Cemetery Maintenance – Clearance works to the left hand hedge of the old section of the cemetery have been put in hand.
‘Keep Clear’ junction of Church Ponds and Church Lane - The Parish Council had received a request that Essex County Council be asked to remove the ‘Keep Clear’ sign painted in the wrong place on the junction of Church Ponds and Church Lane. It was agreed that the Clerk should ask Essex County Council to remove the sign
Cemetery Drainage – The water levels in the trial holes had been monitored and Councillors were pleased to report that the holes had remained dry. Mr Cooke had taken samples of the soil and these were being analysed free of charge by a colleague. Mr Philp had now filled the holes and Mr Cooke has inserted piezometers into the ground to enable water levels to continue to be monitored. It was agreed that the remaining space in the area where the severe drainage problems have been experienced should be used for ashes plots and that burials should now start to take place on the right hand side of the new section of the cemetery. Consideration will be given to digging out the left hand ditch once the grass contractor has undertaken the clearance works discussed earlier in the meeting.
New Service to Braintree Freeport - A new Saturday evening bus service will be launched on 11th December funded by a Parish Transport Grant running between Great Yeldham, Castle Hedingham, Sible Hedingham and Gosfield and Braintree Freeport. This will be a two hourly service leaving the Bell, Castle Hedingham at 18.17, 20.17 and 22.17 and returning from Freeport at 18.55,20.55 and 22.55. Fares will be: Adult £2.40 single £3.60 return – children and OAPs £1.20 single and £1.80 return.
Sudbury Service The usage of service to Sudbury which has been running since April 2004 is a little short of the level which will allow it to continue to run once the grant funding ends. Essex County Council have agreed to supply additional publicity for this route to boost uptake of this service.
Holm Oak Christmas Lights – One of the Councillors had been approached regarding lighting the holm oak on the junction of Bayley Street and St James Street for Christmas. Councillors unanimously agreed to pursue this idea and will discuss with residents near by whether there is a household who would be willing to have the lights running from their property. The Parish Council will fund electricity costs and ensure that the lights are on a timer switch so that they are turned off by 11.00 pm. Once a suitable host has been found the Clerk will purchase low voltage white lights and a group of Councillors will arrange for them to be installed for the festive season
Castle Close Bayley Street Junction Pedestrian Crossing - The Chairman had been approached by two families living in Castle Close regarding difficulties they are having safely crossing the road at the end of the Close as there is restricted vision of oncoming traffic. They had requested a mirror be erected opposite this junction. Unfortunately the installation of mirrors is no longer allowed by County Councils. It was agreed that it would be preferable for pedestrians to cross the further up Bayley Street where the visibility is better. However access for pushchairs is restricted at present as there is no footway at the end of the Close to link with the footway in Bayley Street. It was agreed to ask Essex County Council to install a short length of metalled footway at this point.
1st December 2004 7.45 p.m. Old Court House, Castle Hedingham.
